Book Tour, Excerpt & Giveaway: Acres of Promise by Lisa Renée

On Tour with Prism Book Tours

Acres of Promise

(Single Again #2)

By Lisa Renée

Christian Women's Fiction, Contemporary Romance

Paperback & ebook, 208 Pages

January 1, 2020 by The Collaborative Press

Join the journey with Chantelle Anderson as she actions all in her power, to prevent her teenage son falling into a life of crime and drugs.

Along the way, in her vulnerable state, she struggles to find a suitable life partner. With the trials she's experiencing with her son, who'd want to take on the whole package? Unless, God intervenes and shows He hasn't forgotten Chantelle's desperate situation.

Acres of Promise is a beautiful story of how God restores what was lost and stolen, replacing it with more than we can ask or imagine.

Read the first six chapters free HERE.

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Excerpt

What could he talk about to get her mind off Noah for a little while? Andrew leaned his elbow to the round Laminex table, placing his forefinger across his cheek.

“What?” Chantelle made googly eyes at him. “You’re staring at me. Do I have crumbs on my face of something?” She licked her lips.

Please, don’t do that. Now, he stared at those sweet lips of hers. “Your mouth looks perfectly fine.” What was he saying? “I’m just thinking of something we can talk about to distract you.”

“Okay.” Chantelle straightened. “What do you want to know? Ask me something?”

He leaned back into his chair and chewed on the inside of his cheek. He’d like to ask her about Mark. But how would he go about it? And tonight probably wasn’t the time to talk about more problems. She hadn’t seemed amused to get a message from him. If she’d returned his ring, they weren’t on good terms.

“You’re a fascinating woman. I’m sure you’ve got plenty of stories you could tell.” The coffee may have kicked in, and he felt a bit daring, a little dangerous. “So . . . you’ve lived the single life for the last eleven years. Surely, as beautiful as you are, you must’ve knocked a few blokes back in line.”

Chantelle coughed on her food, swallowed, and took a sip of her tea. “Not as many men as you’d think, even though I’m so beautiful, as you say.” She mocked him with a shrug of her shoulder, then fluffed her hair, and fluttered her lashes.

He laughed. “Those actions don’t match with your humble personality. But, you must have a mirror and know men would find you attractive.” He was honest. Maybe too much.

She blushed this time. “Well.” She placed a hand on the table with a giggle. “I’ve had a few, shall I say, interesting, male species after my affections.” She burst out laughing and tried to sip but spurted the tea from her mouth. “Sorry, but I find this funny.”

This lady. He couldn’t help but like her. He felt great that he made her laugh. His belly bubbled too. She acted so cute under his spotlight of questions, fidgeting with pink cheeks. Really cute. Maybe he didn’t need that coffee after all.

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About the Author

Lisa Renée is a member of American Christian Fiction Writers and Omega Writers, Australia.

Lisa adores babies enough to have seven of her own. Recently, Lisa has taken up breeding Ragdoll cats instead of breeding humans.

The tribe lives in Australia, where Lisa and her husband enjoy their writing projects and publishing ventures.

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Tour Schedule

Tour Giveaway

One winner will receive an ebook of the first book in the Single Again series, More Than a Second Chance and a $10 Amazon gift card (open internationally to those who can use one of Amazon's branches)

Ends January 20, 2021

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Book Blitz & Giveaway: Second Chance Christmas by Rula Sinara #SCCBlitz

On Tour with Prism Book Tours

Second Chance Christmas

(Turtleback Beach #3)

By Rula Sinara

Contemporary Romance

Paperback & ebook, 384 Pages (Large Print)

January 1, 2021 by Harlequin Heartwarming

A beachside Christmas

Brings unexpected gifts!

A second chance. That’s what former navy SEAL Damon Woods asks for when Zuri Habib comes to Turtleback Beach with a nephew who looks just like him. After her sister’s death, Zuri believes Caden deserves to know his father—even if he did break her teenage heart. Can Damon and Zuri forgive each other and give a grieving boy the family he needs this Christmas?

USA TODAY Bestselling Author

Turtleback Beach
Book 1: Almost a Bride
Book 2: Caught by the Sheriff
Book 3: Second Chance Christmas

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Excerpt

DAMON FELT LIKE he’d had the air knocked out of him. Vera was dead? He was a father? He wasn’t sure which fact was tripping him more. He glanced over at the boy playing with Duck. The kid reminded him so much of his late, younger brother it hurt. He looked a lot like Damon, too. He knew it. The second he saw the boy and Zuri he knew in his gut something was wrong. She’d mentioned bringing a kid along, but Damon had assumed that meant she’d had a child in the years since he last saw her. He’d assumed that maybe she had a recent breakup and needed to get away. Lots of people came to the Outer Banks as an escape. His chest felt numb. He was a father and had been for the past twelve years and the truth had been kept from him? He’d been slammed and pulled under by monstrous waves before, but none had left his lungs feeling as useless as right now.

Throughout his training as a SEAL, through every covert operation overseas, through the past four years here as head of Turtleback Beach’s Ocean Rescue and Beach Patrol division...and all along he’d had a son. He muttered a curse and turned his back on her. He looked over the rough waters of the Atlantic, familiar with every square inch of the shoreline he lived on, yet fully aware that it never stayed the same. The ocean ebbed and flowed and changed its sands every day. He’d come to believe that he’d finally found stability in his life. What a lie. He should have known. He was trained to expect the unexpected. He just never thought it would involve a kid. Nor was he expecting it to involve the death of someone else from his past. He’d never quite gotten over the loss of his own brother. Or so many of his SEAL brothers in the line of duty.

“Are you sure?” The question sounded pathetic considering the boy’s looks. He had Woods in him all right. Those dark eyes, full lashes and the way his lips quirked and revealed dimples when he smiled were how everyone could always tell that Damon, Leo, Shawn and Lucas were brothers.

“That you’re the father? Absolutely. But you’re free to get tested.”

He might have to get tested if Vera didn’t have him listed on the birth certificate, but the boy was definitely a younger version of him...or more so, Lucas. He looked so much like a Woods that the sight of him opened an old wound. Lucas couldn’t have been much older than Caden when Damon had gotten word, while overseas, that he’d drowned. The memory still haunted him. Lucas had been the youngest of four. Damon, the oldest. And he still couldn’t get past the belief that, had he not escaped his home life the first chance he had, he’d have been around to save his little brother.

A lump rose in his chest and he tried rubbing it away but it grew and hardened when he turned and caught Zuri wiping her cheeks. She’d lost her older sister. He knew the pain she had to be going through. He sucked in a breath of salty air and tucked his hands in the pockets of his windbreaker to keep himself from wrapping his arms around her. There was a time when doing so would have felt natural and expected, but not anymore.

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About the Author

National and USA Today Bestselling author Rula Sinara lives in rural Virginia with her family and crazy but endearing pets. She loves organic gardening, attracting wildlife to her yard, planting trees, raising backyard chickens and drinking more coffee than she'll ever admit to. Rula's writing has earned her a National Readers Choice Award and HOLT Medallion Award of Merit, among other honors. You can discover more about Rula at her blog A Writer’s Rush, on Twitter, on Facebook as RulaSinaraAuthor or on her website www.RulaSinara.com, where you can also sign up for her newsletter.

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Blitz Giveaway

One winner will receive a Kindle gifted copy of Almost a Bride OR Caught by the Sheriff (winner's choice)

US only

Ends January 10, 2021

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Review: The Kissing Tree: Four Novellas Rooted in Timeless Love by Karen Witemeyer, Regina Jennings, Amanda Dykes, Nicole Deese

My rating: 4 stars / I really liked it

Synopsis

Bestselling novelist Karen Witemeyer joins award-winning authors Regina Jennings, Amanda Dykes, and Nicole Deese for this Texas-sized romance novella collection. Each of the authors' unique voices is on display in stories where courting couples leave a permanent mark of their love by carving their initials into the same oak's bark.  

In Regina Jennings' Broken Limbs, Mended Fences, a small-town teacher has her credentials questioned by a traveling salesman.

In Karen Witemeyer's Inn for a Surprise, two opinionated collaborators with conflicting visions must turn a doomed business venture into a successful romantic retreat.

From Roots to Sky by Amanda Dykes follows a young WWII naval airman who heads to Texas to meet the sister of a lost compatriot.

Heartwood by Nicole Deese is a modern-day romance about the groundskeeper of a historic inn who's reunited with someone from her past while she fights to save a town landmark.

My Review

I love beautiful old trees, so the theme of a tree connecting four generations really appealed to me. Because of the variety of eras and the authors writing the different stories, each was unique and incorporated the Kissing Tree in a different way. While each story and couple was interesting, I connected the most with the emotions of the first, by Regina Jennings. A dream-killing injury, a challenge to her job, a wager, and unrequited love lead to an unlikely friendship between Bella and a schoolmate from her past. I appreciated how Bella does her best to forgive and look for the good in Adam. He is back in the town he grew up in to sell the latest technology in harvesting, yet his former community has difficulty believing his promises. He and Bella both have something to prove, and the support they give each other goes a long way to make them both successful in their endeavors and relationship. They feel strongly and are compelling as they earnestly seek for solutions to their quandary.

Inn for a Surprise brings the gentle humor author Karen Witemeyer brings to all her books, and the conflicting opinions on what would please the clientele of a hotel brought fun banter as the competition between Phoebe and Barnabas teaches them to listen and compromise in order to make the inn its best. 

I most enjoyed in Roots to Sky was the long correspondence between Hannah and Luke, and the way they grew to know each other before ever meeting. The healing and slow-developing sweet romance when they finally meet is lovely.

Heartwood was a little heartbreaking, since the great old tree is coming to the end of its days. I was fascinated with Griffin's occupation of arborist and all the skills and knowledge it involves. Abby's grief over her father bleeds into her lifestyle and the way she can't leave behind his work on the grounds of the inn and move on with her own life choices. Griffin's return resurrects old hurts for both of them that they must face and resolve in order to take risks again and heal.

Disclosure statement: A complimentary copy of this book was provided from a tour group, publisher, publicist, or author, including NetGalley, OR was borrowed from the library, including OverDrive, OR borrowed from Kindle Unlimited, OR purchased. A review was not required and all views and opinions expressed are unbiased and my own.

Review: Mr Gardiner and the Governess by Sally Britton

My rating: 5 stars / It was amazing

Synopsis

A duke’s governess, a gentleman entomologist, and a castle full of flowers is the perfect setting for a summer romance.

As the new governess to the duke's family, Alice Sharpe must learn to control her impulsiveness. Employment in the duke’s household is a once in a lifetime opportunity, and could mean living in comfort the rest of her days. Unfortunately, her first encounter with the duke's houseguest, a handsome gentleman obsessed with insects, proves she may not be ready for the austere role of governess.

Rupert Gardiner has one goal: to have his work in entomology and botany published by the Royal Society. He is fortunate that the Duke of Montfort, believes in him and enlists Rupert to make a record of all the flora on the castle grounds. But Miss Sharpe’s spontaneity and continual appearance during his work is an annoying distraction. At least, that’s what he tells himself.

While Alice struggles to adapt to her new role, constantly striving to go unnoticed while still being herself, she cannot help but admire Rupert’s intelligence and focus. The more often they fall in together, the more her admiration deepens. But could a gentleman such as he ever fall in love with the governess?

As the first stand-alone novel in a new series by author Sally Britton, this story begins the Clairvoir Castle romances. This is a light-hearted series set in the Regency period.

My Review

I found this book to be somewhat tame- definitely a gentle romance, but it was so delightful and charming that I loved it all the same! Not surprising since this author excels at bringing her interesting characters to life. Rupert comes from an affectionate and supportive family, while Alice does not. I loved seeing her blossom as a governess and as a friend to Rupert as he appreciates her artistic skills and their relationship develops quite naturally to a sweet romance. The conflict in the story is Alice's inner struggle with confidence and feeling valued, and Rupert's attention and absences challenge her trust in new ways. The family she works for is rather kind (though it comes as a surprise to Alice) and I look forward to more from this series focusing on some of them!

Disclosure statement: A complimentary copy of this book was provided from a tour group, publisher, publicist, or author, including NetGalley, OR was borrowed from the library, including OverDrive, OR borrowed from Kindle Unlimited, OR purchased. A review was not required and all views and opinions expressed are unbiased and my own.

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Don't miss the next book in the Clairvoir Castle series . . .

Review: The Duke Meets His Match by Karen Tuft

My rating: 5 stars / It was amazing

Synopsis

At thirty years of age, Susan Jennings has long been considered a spinster. Exceptionally intelligent, she has little tolerance for London and the dreaded Season—if that’s how one is expected to find love, it’s not for her. But when an invitation arrives that cannot be ignored, Susan leaves her comfortable life in the country and enters the fashion and frivolity she most despises. She quickly discovers, however, that there is more to loathe in London—and his name is George Kendall.

George, Duke of Aylesham, has learned to keep his distance from cloying females chasing the title of duchess. Susan Jennings, however, proves an entirely different challenge—a woman who has pushed him to the limit of his patience with their every encounter. But their simmering hostility is disrupted by a thoughtless slip-up: to avoid a marriage of political strategy, George claims he is already betrothed. And when pressed for the name of the lucky woman, only one name comes to mind: Susan’s. Their forced betrothal proves advantageous, but when their verbal sparring must change in order to be convincing, the line between fact and fiction becomes blurred by something neither expected: love.

My Review

This book was so enjoyable and entertaining! Susan and George have horrible first impressions of each other, even though I found them to be quite similar. They don't care for society or marrying just because it is expected. When the Prince Regent gets involved however, George is stuck between a rock and a hard place, and he thoughtlessly gets Susan stuck with him. I appreciated the conversations they had that showed how much consideration Susan gave the situation and the repercussions of her choices and his, as well as the advantages to her future. The political intrigue, though light, provided another aspect to the plot and drove Susan and George closer together as they worked as a team to thwart the Prince without losing their heads. I loved the cast of characters, including Susan's protective brother and her delightful "fairy godmother" Lady Wamsley. I enjoyed the details of the era that were woven naturally in the story without being overly descriptive. Susan and George developed a strong romantic chemistry with a foundation of respect for the intelligence and capabilities of one another, and it was especially fun to see Susan solve the hidden motivations behind the Prince's "gift." Highly recommend!

Disclosure statement: A complimentary copy of this book was provided from a tour group, publisher, publicist, or author, including NetGalley, OR was borrowed from the library, including OverDrive, OR borrowed from Kindle Unlimited, OR purchased. A review was not required and all views and opinions expressed are unbiased and my own.

Review: Timeless Regency Collection: A Christmas Promise by Joanna Barker, Annette Lyon, Jennifer Moore

My rating: 4 stars / I really liked it

Synopsis

THE TWO BELLS OF CHRISTMAS by Joanna Barker
Roland Hastings made a promise to his father: to marry and carry on the family line. But after a year of searching, he has given up hope of finding the right woman. Anticipating a quiet Christmas with his mother, Roland is frustrated to learn she has organized an entire house party to help him find a bride. Cassandra Bell arrives for the house party with her twin sister Vivian, who has set her heart on winning a proposal from the eligible Mr. Hastings. But when Vivian grows ill, she begs Cassie to switch places with her and keep the other conniving ladies away from Mr. Hastings. Cassie reluctantly takes on the role of her poised and proper twin, but things become much more complicated when Roland begins to take an interest in the spunky and unconventional Cassie...

PROMISE ME AGAIN by Annette Lyon
Secret wedding plans. A powerful brother who will go to any lengths to stop them. Can love truly conquer all? Miriam and Jacob have loved each other for as long as they can remember. They want to wed, but Jacob's older brother Norman forbids it. Deciding to do so secretly without his blessing, Miriam and Jacob make plans to marry on Christmas Eve at a church several hours’ journey away. Despite their efforts, Norman’s long reach finds them. Miriam’s love is tested to the very limit when she is forced into a devil’s bargain with him. She agrees only to spare Jacob pain, but can their hearts find their way back to each other no matter what—or who—stands in their way?

A CHRISTMAS JOURNEY by Jennifer Moore
The war is over, but Lucy Breckenridge’s plans for a perfect Christmas are ruined when Captain James Stewart brings news that her father will not return in time for the holiday. Determined to not miss yet another Christmas with her father, Lucy starts on a journey for London with her trusty maid and manservant. Learning they have gone, James follows, hoping to stop her before she discovers the true reason for Colonel Breckenridge’s absence. Along the way, the two join in local holiday celebrations and learn that families have flaws, friendship requires trust, and Christmas traditions can be created in the most unexpected places.

My Review

Another wonderfully entertaining collection from Timeless Regency! I love the variety of stories we get that relate to the title theme, and these anthologies with three novellas also give us longer and more complete stories than we find in the collections with six stories. The first story, The Two Bells of Christmas, was fun and entertaining as Cassie tried her best to be a posed substitute for her sister, but her personality can't help but shine through. I enjoyed trying to figure out when Roland becomes aware of their ruse, and convinces Cassie that she is just as lovable and worthy as Vivian. The second story was my least favorite of the collection because I missed seeing the main characters fall in love, and the villain made the plot rather two-dimensional. The third story was my favorite, and one I plan to re-read in the future. Even though Lucy is headstrong and naive, she is full of determination to reunite with her father and celebrate Christmas with him for once. I could sense that something was not right when James was so hesitant to lead her to her father, but along their journey Lucy's compassionate and selflessness personality reaches out to all in their little group and she makes it a special holiday season for them all. I loved how she was able to thaw James's heart and the joy they found together. Recommended for fans of sweet Regency romance!

Disclosure statement: A complimentary copy of this book was provided from a tour group, publisher, publicist, or author, including NetGalley, OR was borrowed from the library, including OverDrive, OR borrowed from Kindle Unlimited, OR purchased. A review was not required and all views and opinions expressed are unbiased and my own.

Review: Frontier Engagement by Regina Scott

My rating: 4 stars / I really liked it

Synopsis

School Bells and Wedding Bells

James Wallin's family is depending on him to find a schoolteacher for their frontier town. Alexandrina Fosgrave seems to be exactly what he needs to help fulfill his father's dream of building a new community. If only James could convince her to accept the position.

Alexandrina has traveled west to seek a fresh start, not to find a groom. But after she's stranded in the wilderness with James, he offers her his hand in marriage to protect her reputation. Both are afraid to fall in love, but maybe an engagement of convenience could make them reconsider…

My Review

Rina has such an interesting backstory as the unsuspecting daughter of con artists who travel the country as exiled European royalty, escaping their debts as they go. She has major trust issues, especially with those who are charming and manipulative. Unfortunately for James, his charm is his major asset, and he is tasked with hiring her as the teacher for their fledgling community. He's intrigued by her fire and ice, hiding her insecurities behind her trained composure. I liked how they got to know each other so much better on their wilderness misadventure, and the way Rina learns to stand up for herself and resolve the conflicts she faces.

Disclosure statement: A complimentary copy of this book was provided from a tour group, publisher, publicist, or author, including NetGalley, OR was borrowed from the library, including OverDrive, OR borrowed from Kindle Unlimited, OR purchased. A review was not required and all views and opinions expressed are unbiased and my own.

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Don't miss the other books in the Frontier Bachelors series . . .